In this descriptive study, the self-care limitations of persons who had experienced their first myocardial infarction were identified during the first 3 months of their convalescent period. The five most frequently occurring limitations identified were patterns of personal and family living that interfere with self-care; intense emotional states, likes or dislikes, overriding interest and concerns; perceptions, meanings, and appraisals not in accord in reality; inability to attend to self with respect to changing conditions; and new, unrecognized requirements for self-care associated with changed health. Assessment of limitation is a framework that nurses might use to evaluate the needs of post myocardial infarction patients.